Butch Dill-Imagn Pictures.
After seeing a fairly profitable season come to a disappointing finish on Jan. 13, it’s time to look forward a few months for Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft followers.
So right here I’m, Nate Powalie, your resident Cleveland Browns twin citizenship fan. I’ll clarify what the Vikings ought to try and do by analyzing a possible Minnesota Vikings mock draft.
I’m within the GM’s seat now. After all, issues can change throughout the subsequent couple of months main as much as the Draft, however right here’s the early version of how the Vikings will go.
Notre Dame nook again Benjamin Morrison (20) walks together with his workforce throughout heat ups earlier than a NCAA school soccer recreation between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend. © Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Will Benjamin Morrison fall into my palms at 24? Dustin Baker definitely hopes will probably be so.
Please be aware that I’m conducting my selections utilizing the simulator at Professional Soccer Community.
However let’s not waste any extra time. Right here’s version quantity one of many Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft for 2025.
Minnesota has, as of proper now, 4 picks within the 2025 draft.
Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft 2025: Nate Powalie’s Picks
Spherical 1, Decide 24: Nick Emmanwori, Security, College of South Carolina
With an getting old secondary turning into a little bit of a priority, Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina is your best option, in my view, at decide 24. And 2024 was a breakout marketing campaign for the Gamecocks security, who will likely be turning 21 in early February.
The 6-foot-4 defensive again performs equally to former Vikings security Lewis Cine. He has a hybrid physique model: the instincts and velocity of a cornerback with the massive, assured body of a linebacker. He boasts a 4.38 40-yard sprint and performs nicely in stopping the run and dealing with man protection.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Pictures.
With Harrison Smith nicely into his 30s and Camryn Bynum’s contract standing additionally as a query mark, the Vikings want somebody who can step up and fill a necessity at security. Emmanwori can try this and rather more.
The plan is to not commerce any picks on this first version of the Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft. The second decide just isn’t obtainable till the second-to-last decide of the day two slate.
Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft 2025-1.0, Choice 2
Spherical 3, Decide 100: Ollie Gordon II, Working Again, Oklahoma State College.
Now, positive, Aaron Jones did nicely in his service with Minnesota in 2024. And Cam Akers additionally put up some sufficient numbers. However each of these guys are impending free brokers. The offensive backfield might very nicely turn out to be a serious query mark heading into the 2024 season in Minnesota. At decide 100, the query mark will obtain some assist from Oklahoma State operating again Ollie Gordon.
At 6-2 225, with 4.5 40 velocity and top-level palms, his model of play is nearly just like that of a Christian McCaffrey. His manufacturing dropped off barely in 2024, however the Cowboys of Oklahoma State weren’t a high contender within the School Soccer panorama this previous season. Nonetheless, that shouldn’t deduct the truth that he generally is a versatile choice out of the offensive backfield, which might present some aid in each the passing and operating video games.
One demerit to his be aware card is that he’s not one of the best cross protector, and he doesn’t have a ton of NFL playbook publicity. However there may be nonetheless loads of upside when speaking about one of many cowl athletes of NCAA Soccer 25.
Proper, two down, two to go. Onward with the Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft, model one.
Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft 2o25-1.0, Decide 3
Spherical 5, Decide 139: Thaddeus Dixon, Cornerback, College of Washington
Again to the secondary decision with the third workforce selection. I’m going with Thaddeus Dixon, a cornerback from the College of Washington, to guide off the fifth spherical. Now, as a sophomore in 2024, Dixon took a little bit of a step ahead together with his manufacturing. At 6 ft 1 inches and 186 kilos, he’s one of many taller guys at his place. He had the fourth-highest Professional Soccer Focus grade amongst Large Ten corners, with an 81.8 protection ranking.
Steven Bisig-Imagn Pictures.
Breaking down the movie, Dixon has loads of abilities to show that he can turn out to be a top-20 NFL nook talent-wise from the soar. He performs nicely in man and zone conditions. Nonetheless, he will likely be focused fairly a bit and tends to get out-leveraged on the line of scrimmage. He will likely be a really intriguing prospect within the improvement lab.
Now, let’s transfer on to the final selection for this Minnesota Vikings mock draft.
Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft 2025-1.0, Decide 4
Spherical 5, Decide 160: Joshua Grey, Offensive Guard, Oregon State College
One place that might assist the Vikings is offensive guard. One man who can assist with that situation? Oregon State Beavers offensive guard Joshua Grey. He’s one of many larger guys within the draft this yr on the o-line, at 6-foot-4 and 305 kilos.
Grey has fairly a number of qualities which are to be preferred. He’s bodily, can play guard or deal with, and is athletic. He additionally offers cross safety.
However he must develop his leverage. Grey could possibly be a sneaky improvement for a day-three decide who might flip right into a surprisingly stable participant on the O-line to assist defend the Vikings signal-callers.
And that may finish the primary version of the Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft for 2025. Are there any strategies that had been missed? Possibly, at quarterback. However as soon as the massive QB names had been off the board, there wasn’t an entire lot of expertise behind them.
Issues might go a distinct approach come April, however this could possibly be a beneficial baseline for the Vikings.